I went to the races for the first time last night. I previewed this with a couple of trips to the track to watch and learn procedures so I would know what to do. I defenitely need some work but launching hard with a 6M has proved to be challenging for a beginner like me. Her are my times (as sad as they are):

1st run
RT .794 60ft 2.224 660ft 9.333 ET 14.445 MPH 93.303
This run was against a Rx7 who I had a car length on until half track and then he started to pull away.

2nd run
RT .390 60ft 2.303 660ft 9.420 ET 14.507 MPH 95.346
This run was against an 87 vette, fellow club member, JSailor24 on the forum, yes he won because he cut a .080 light

3rd run
RT .343 60ft 2.505 660ft 0.000 ET 15.849 MPH 76.441
I was lined up with a 10sec car and could not here myself think. It was so loud it was rattling my teeth :crazy: :D . I think this really rattled me. I couldn't hear my engine or here that my tires were spinning like mad. I then went on to miss 2nd gear like it was my first day driving a stick.

All in all it was great fun. There was a huge turnout. 200+ cars. Lots of HS kids racing too. I thought it would be a good night to go because my efforts couldn't be worse than some of the HS kids ;) . I have Kumho tires and it was about 55* out that night. I heard some of the other racers say that the track was "cold". I did all the things like avoid the water box and doing a small burnout. Pleas give me any advice on l;aunching a stick. I had to hold the brake or it would roll.


[Modified by robblk90, 11:36 AM 5/18/2002]

 

Looks like you had a good time, thats what it s about anyways.
As for help I can say this. Yours is a 90 model and a 6 speed. Get a good shift light or even better an aftermarket tachometer. I got a sunpro tach with adjustable rpm shiftlight on mine. Mounted mine on the steering column in front of the stock tach. All the 90 models vettes, I mean all, have a problem with their tachometers being off by several hundred rpm and many by several thousand. I got my best times when stock/mildly modified by shifting around 4900rpm. The reason I bring the tach issue up is your mph should have been a bit more, like 96 or 98 mph. I'll bet you were shifting too soon. Dont shidt too high either or it'll slow you down since our motors drop off fast above 4800rpm.

As for your launch it just takes practice. Everyone is different. Your 6 speed has different gear ratio's than the 4+3 manual trans so try to bring the revs up to 1800 or so and allmost let the clutch out all the way while giving gas. Anymore rpm and mine goes up in smoke.

 

What PSI were you running in the tires? Should try 18 - 20 , might inprove those 60 ' times.

Chris

:flag

 

Practice make Perfect :yesnod: Keep playing.

 

:yesnod:

 

Kuhmo, is that an autocross tire you were using? I don't think they work well for drag racing.

Yes get your psi to about 20 and try varying launches. Try not to line up next to 10 second cars. Focus on your launch and shifting. Think about how quickly you are shifing.

My first runs in my M6 94 were all VERY slow. For a while I was even too nervous put my foot on the floor :eek:

Started in the 15's and by the time I stopped racing it, I had it in the 13.2x area.

Oh yeah, have fun :yesnod:

 

Tire pressure was unchanged, 40psi. There were so many cars running that I didn't have a choice in what car I lined up against. There were 8 - 10 staging lanes full. My tires are the Kumho Ecsta's. Does the track temperature make that big of difference?

 

Yes the track temp makes a big difference. The hotter and more humid it gets the harder it is for it to breathe and make power. Just like people.

40 psi will cause some seriod spin. Get the pressure down next time and you should see much better 60' times that will reward you all the way up the track.

For lining up, tracks will usually send 1 or two lanes at a time. If two lanes are sent at a time you will see that you should be racing the car to your right or left. Still hard to judge. What you can do is when you come around the wall try to count to see your opponet. If it a 10 second car, try to wave the car behind you to go ahead. Check to make sure you track will allow this by asking the official at the head of the staging laned. They will usually allow this.

 

I have wondered about this type of situation:

If you are lined up next to some type of blown, 8 second dragster, would it make sense to just let him go, take a 3 second RT, and start your run when you can hear your engine? You would still get a good 60 ft time, ET, etc.. everything except your RT would be ok. Seems like a better option than trying to launch with a rocket exploding next to you! :eek: MJ

 

sounds like fun :cheers:

 

Glade you had a great time.

 

A good starting like crew would never let that happen. It's safer to have simular types of car run together.

 

I had a good time too. For some reason though there was about 300 cars all trying to run. I left around 11:30 after 3 runs. only ran 14.48 ish if i remember right-- slips are in the car. 1st run was a red light. 2nd was a .080, 3rd was a .100 . It was a good time, we'll have to go again. :D

 

First I would like to say congrats for taking the plunge and having some fun at the track, that is how the drag racing hobby starts. Bummer the track let you line up against a 10 second beast - usually I've seen experienced track personel make one or the other do a single if two wildly mismatched cars come up to the line during time trials.

As to being a stick and having roll out on the line here is what I do:
1) Stage where I want to be.
2) Pull up on the parking brake lever while holding the button in, do not release lever or button.
3) Right hand on steering wheel, left hand hold parking brake lever.
4) On last amber light I push the parking brake lever down, start a slow one second clutch release at the same time, move left hand onto steering wheel, right hand over to shift lever. Roll accelerator pedal to the floor (don't stomp it).

Try it, I think you will like how it eliminates roll out on a 6M.

Thomas

 

I'm still really new with a stick. I would go with Red90 says and get a shift light right away. Its cheap, easy to install and lets you worry about all the other things going on while you are new. You set it and just shift when it comes on. Easy!
http://harlan.sketchy.net/store/store.html

Drop those tire pressures and those 60's will come down...

 

???? Sounds like "Twister" to me!!! ? :lol:

Hey, at least I am reading your posts!! :) MJ